Creating and displaying shortcut to another application to link contents of different applications to each other

ABSTRACT

A mobile terminal and controlling method thereof are disclosed, by which creation, editing and sharing of a shortcut to such various informations having similarities as applications, files web documents, contacts and the like can be facilitated. The present invention includes selecting a 1 st  content through a 1 st  application, selecting a 2 nd  content corresponding to a 2 nd  application in response to an input of a link command, creating a link information between the 1 st  content and the 2 nd  content, displaying a 1 st  link corresponding to the 1 st  content when the 2 nd  content is displayed or displaying a 2 nd  link corresponding to the 2 nd  content when the 1 st  content is displayed, and displaying the 1 st  content through the 1 st  application if the 1 st  link is selected or displaying the 2 nd  content through the 2 nd  application if the 2 nd  link is selected.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/279,036 filed on May 15, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,600,154, whichclaims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority toKorean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0054790, filed on May 15, 2013,the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein intheir entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal, and moreparticularly, to a mobile terminal and controlling method thereof.Although the present invention is suitable for a wide scope ofapplications, it is particularly suitable for facilitating creation,editing and sharing of a shortcut to such various informations havingsimilarities as applications, files web documents, contacts and thelike.

Discussion of the Related Art

Generally, terminals can be classified into mobile/portable terminalsand stationary terminals. The mobile terminals can be further classifiedinto handheld terminals and vehicle mount terminals according topossibility of user's direct portability.

As functions of the terminal are getting diversified, the terminal tendsto be implemented as a multimedia player provided with compositefunctions such as photographing of photos or videos, playback of musicor video files, game play, broadcast reception and the like for example.

To support and increase the terminal functions, it may be able toconsider the improvement of structural parts and/or software parts ofthe terminal.

Recently, as a mobile terminal of a smart type is widely used, variousapplications can be run in the mobile terminal. Hence, a user is able toaccess a single information in various ways. However, if applicationsare different from each other in type or property, it is inconvenient tomanage/access informations separately despite the informations havesimilarities in-between.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a mobile terminal andcontrolling method thereof that substantially obviate one or moreproblems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

One object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal andcontrolling method thereof, by which a shortcut to various applicationsrelated to informations having similarities can be created and managedconveniently and easily.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminaland controlling method thereof, by which contents of differentapplications are linked to each other to provide a function of readingthe linked contents conveniently and a function of switching the linkedcontents to each other.

Technical tasks obtainable from the present invention are non-limited bythe above-mentioned technical tasks. And, other unmentioned technicaltasks can be clearly understood from the following description by thosehaving ordinary skill in the technical field to which the presentinvention pertains.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will beset forth in part in the description which follows and in part willbecome apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art uponexamination of the following or may be learned from practice of theinvention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may berealized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in thewritten description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with thepurpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, amobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present inventionincludes a touchscreen and a controller controlling an application, thecontroller displaying an active image of the application on thetouchscreen, the controller, if a 1^(st) content through a 1^(st)application is selected and a 2^(nd) content corresponding to a 2^(nd)application is selected in response to an input of a link command,creating a link information between the 1^(st) content and the 2^(nd)content, the controller displaying a 1^(st) link corresponding to the1^(st) content when the 2^(nd) content is displayed, the controllerdisplaying a 2^(nd) link corresponding to the 2^(nd) content when the1^(st) content is displayed, the controller displaying the 1^(st)content through the 1^(st) application if the 1^(st) link is selected,the controller displaying the 2^(nd) content through the 2^(nd)application if the 2^(nd) link is selected.

In another aspect of the present invention, as embodied and broadlydescribed herein, as embodied and broadly described herein, a method ofcontrolling a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the presentinvention includes the steps of selecting a 1^(st) content through a1^(st) application, selecting a 2^(nd) content corresponding to a 2^(nd)application in response to an input of a link command, creating a linkinformation between the 1^(st) content and the 2^(nd) content,displaying a 1^(st) link corresponding to the 1^(st) content when the2^(nd) content is displayed or displaying a 2^(nd) link corresponding tothe 2^(nd) content when the 1^(st) content is displayed, and displayingthe 1^(st) content through the 1^(st) application if the 1^(st) link isselected or displaying the 2^(nd) content through the 2^(nd) applicationif the 2^(nd) link is selected.

In another aspect of the present invention, as embodied and broadlydescribed herein, as embodied and broadly described herein, a mobileterminal according to another embodiment of the present inventionincludes a touchscreen and a controller controlling an application, thecontroller displaying an active image of the application on thetouchscreen, the controller, after selecting a 1^(st) object through a1^(st) application, if a 2^(nd) object corresponding to a 2^(nd)application approaches the 1^(st) object, determining an information ofthe 2^(nd) application related to the 1^(st) object, the controllercreating a 3^(rd) object including at least one portion of the 2^(nd)object around the 1^(st) object based on the determined information, thecontroller if the at least one portion of the 2^(nd) object is selectedfrom the 3^(rd) object, displaying the determined information throughthe 2^(nd) application.

In another aspect of the present invention, as embodied and broadlydescribed herein, a method of controlling a mobile terminal according toanother embodiment of the present invention includes the steps ofselecting a 1^(st) object through a 1^(st) application, if a 2^(nd)object corresponding to a 2^(nd) application approaches the 1^(st)object, determining an information of the 2^(nd) application related tothe 1^(st) object, creating a 3^(rd) object including at least oneportion of the 2^(nd) object around the 1^(st) object based on thedetermined information, and if the at least one portion of the 2^(nd)object is selected from the 3^(rd) object, displaying the determinedinformation through the 2^(nd) application.

Accordingly, the present invention provides the following effects and/oradvantages.

First of all, creation and management of a shortcut to variousapplications having similarities in-between can be facilitated. Inparticular, if the created shortcut is selected, a function related tothe similarities can be activated directly and conveniently in anapplication corresponding to the selected shortcut.

Secondly, since contents of different applications are linked to eachother, the contents can be quickly switched and read by content unitirrespective of types of the applications. Therefore, it is able tominimize the inconvenience in selecting the contents by running each ofthe different applications one by one.

Effects obtainable from the present invention may be non-limited by theabove mentioned effect. And, other unmentioned effects can be clearlyunderstood from the following description by those having ordinary skillin the technical field to which the present invention pertains.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description of the present invention areexemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principle of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective diagram of a mobile terminal according toone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for one example of a process for creating ashortcut to a plurality of applications related to an information havingsimilarities and utilizing the created shortcut in a mobile terminalaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram for one example of a method of creating a shortcutto an application having similarities in a mobile terminal according toone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram for one example of a method of specifying a 2^(nd)application information in response to a user's selection in a mobileterminal according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram for one example of a method of utilizing a shortcutobject created in a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram for another example of a method of creating ashortcut object in a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram for another example of a configuration of a shortcutobject created in a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 is a diagram for one example of a method of switching objects toeach other within a shortcut object in a mobile terminal according toone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a diagram for one example of changing a configuration withina shortcut object in a mobile terminal according to one embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 11A is a diagram for one example of a process for creating a linkbetween contents corresponding to different applications in a mobileterminal according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11B is a diagram for one example of a process for utilizing thecreated link in a mobile terminal according to another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 12 is a diagram for one example of a method of creating a linkbetween contents in a mobile terminal according to another embodiment ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 13 is a diagram for one example of a configuration for displaying alink between contents in a mobile terminal according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawing figures which form a part hereof, and which show byway of illustration specific embodiments of the invention. It is to beunderstood by those of ordinary skill in this technological field thatother embodiments may be utilized, and structural, electrical, as wellas procedural changes may be made without departing from the scope ofthe present invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numberswill be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similarparts.

As used herein, the suffixes ‘module’, ‘unit’ and ‘part’ are used todenote elements in order to facilitate the invention only. Therefore,significant meanings or roles are not given to the suffixes themselves,and it is understood that the suffixes ‘module’, ‘unit’ and ‘part’ canbe used together or interchangeably.

Features of embodiments of the present invention are applicable tovarious types of terminals. Examples of such terminals include mobileterminals, such as mobile phones, user equipment, smart phones, mobilecomputers, digital broadcast terminals, personal digital assistants,portable multimedia players (PMP) and navigators. However, by way ofnon-limiting example only, further description will be with regard to amobile terminal 100, and it should be noted that such teachings mayapply equally to other types of terminals such as digital TV, desktopcomputers and so on.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal 100 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. With reference to FIG. 1, themobile terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an A/V(audio/video) input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140,an output unit 150, a memory 160, an interface unit 170, a controller180, and a power supply unit 190. FIG. 1 shows the mobile terminal 100having various components, but implementing all of the illustratedcomponents is not a requirement. More or fewer components may beimplemented according to various embodiments.

The wireless communication unit 110 typically includes one or morecomponents which permit wireless communication between the mobileterminal 100 and a wireless communication system or network within whichthe mobile terminal 100 is located. For instance, the wirelesscommunication unit 110 can include a broadcast receiving module 111, amobile communication module 112, a wireless Internet module 113, ashort-range communication module 114, and a position-location module115.

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives a broadcast signal and/orbroadcast associated information from an external broadcast managingserver via a broadcast channel. The broadcast channel may include asatellite channel and a terrestrial channel. At least two broadcastreceiving modules 111 can be provided in the mobile terminal 100 tofacilitate simultaneous reception of at least two broadcast channels orbroadcast channel switching.

The broadcast managing server is generally a server which generates andtransmits a broadcast signal and/or broadcast associated information ora server which is provided with a previously generated broadcast signaland/or broadcast associated information and then transmits the providedsignal or information to a terminal. The broadcast signal may beimplemented as a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, and/or adata broadcast signal, among other signals. If desired, the broadcastsignal may further include a broadcast signal combined with a TV orradio broadcast signal.

The broadcast associated information includes information associatedwith a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or a broadcast serviceprovider. Furthermore, the broadcast associated information can beprovided via a mobile communication network. In this instance, thebroadcast associated information can be received by the mobilecommunication module 112.

The broadcast associated information can be implemented in variousforms. For instance, broadcast associated information may include anelectronic program guide (EPG) of digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB)and an electronic service guide (ESG) of digital videobroadcast-handheld (DVB-H).

The broadcast receiving module 111 may be configured to receivebroadcast signals transmitted from various types of broadcast systems.By nonlimiting example, such broadcasting systems may include digitalmultimedia broadcasting-terrestrial (DMB-T), digital multimediabroadcasting-satellite (DMB-S), digital video broadcast-handheld(DVB-H), digital video broadcast-convergence of broadcasting and mobileservices (DVB-CBMS), Open Mobile Alliance Broadcast (OMA-BCAST), thedata broadcasting system known as media forward link only (MediaFLO™)and integrated services digital broadcast-terrestrial (ISDB-T).Optionally, the broadcast receiving module 111 can be configured to besuitable for other broadcasting systems as well as the above-noteddigital broadcasting systems.

The broadcast signal and/or broadcast associated information received bythe broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in a suitable device,such as the memory 160.

The mobile communication module 112 transmits/receives wireless signalsto/from one or more network entities (e.g., a base station, an externalterminal, and/or a server) via a mobile network such as GSM (GlobalSystem for Mobile communications), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access),or WCDMA (Wideband CDMA). Such wireless signals may carry audio, video,and data according to text/multimedia messages.

The wireless Internet module 113 supports Internet access for the mobileterminal 100. This module may be internally or externally coupled to themobile terminal 100. The wireless Internet technology can include WLAN(Wireless LAN), Wi-Fi, Wibro™ (Wireless broadband), Wimax™ (WorldInteroperability for Microwave Access), HSDPA (High Speed DownlinkPacket Access), GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, or LTE (Long Term Evolution).

Wireless Internet access by Wibro™, HSPDA, GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, or LTE isachieved via a mobile communication network. In this regard, thewireless Internet module 113 may be considered as being a kind of themobile communication module 112 to perform the wireless Internet accessvia the mobile communication network.

The short-range communication module 114 facilitates relativelyshort-range communications. Suitable technologies for implementing thismodule include radio frequency identification (RFID), infrared dataassociation (IrDA), ultra-wideband (UWB), as well as the networkingtechnologies commonly referred to as Bluetooth™ and ZigBee™, to name afew.

The position-location module 115 identifies or otherwise obtains thelocation of the mobile terminal 100. According to one embodiment, thismodule may be implemented with a global positioning system (GPS) module.The GPS module 115 can precisely calculate current 3-dimensionalposition information based on at least longitude, latitude or altitudeand direction (or orientation) by calculating distance information andprecise time information from at least three satellites and thenapplying triangulation to the calculated information. Locationinformation and time information are calculated using three satellites,and errors of the calculated location position and time information arethen amended (or corrected) using another satellite. In addition, theGPS module 115 can calculate speed information by continuouslycalculating a real-time current location.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the audio/video (A/V) input unit 120is configured to provide audio or video signal input to the mobileterminal 100. As shown, the A/V input unit 120 includes a camera 121 anda microphone 122. The camera 121 receives and processes image frames ofstill pictures or video, which are obtained by an image sensor in avideo call mode or a photographing mode. Furthermore, the processedimage frames can be displayed on the display 151.

The image frames processed by the camera 121 can be stored in the memory160 or can be transmitted to an external recipient via the wirelesscommunication unit 110. Optionally, at least two cameras 121 can beprovided in the mobile terminal 100 according to the environment ofusage.

The microphone 122 receives an external audio signal while the portabledevice is in a particular mode, such as phone call mode, recording modeand voice recognition. This audio signal is processed and converted intoelectronic audio data. The processed audio data is transformed into aformat transmittable to a mobile communication base station via themobile communication module 112 in a call mode. The microphone 122typically includes assorted noise removing algorithms to remove noisegenerated in the course of receiving the external audio signal.

The user input unit 130 generates input data responsive to usermanipulation of an associated input device or devices. Examples of suchdevices include a keypad, a dome switch, a touchpad (e.g., staticpressure/capacitance), a jog wheel, and a jog switch. FIG. 1 alsoillustrates the user input unit 130 can include a button 136 (hard orsoft button) and a touch sensor 137.

The sensing unit 140 provides sensing signals for controlling operationsof the mobile terminal 100 using status measurements of various aspectsof the mobile terminal. For instance, the sensing unit 140 may detect anopen/closed status of the mobile terminal 100, the relative positioningof components (e.g., a display and keypad) of the mobile terminal 100, achange of position (or location) of the mobile terminal 100 or acomponent of the mobile terminal 100, a presence or absence of usercontact with the mobile terminal 100, and an orientation oracceleration/deceleration of the mobile terminal 100.

As an example, a mobile terminal 100 configured as a slide-type mobileterminal is considered. In this configuration, the sensing unit 140 maysense whether a sliding portion of the mobile terminal is open orclosed. According to other examples, the sensing unit 140 senses thepresence or absence of power provided by the power supply unit 190, andthe presence or absence of a coupling or other connection between theinterface unit 170 and an external device. According to one embodiment,the sensing unit 140 can include a proximity sensor 141.

The output unit 150 generates output relevant to the senses of sight,hearing, and touch. Furthermore, the output unit 150 includes thedisplay 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, a hapticmodule 154, a projector module, etc.

The display 151 is typically implemented to visually display (output)information associated with the mobile terminal 100. For instance, ifthe mobile terminal is operating in a phone call mode, the display willgenerally provide a user interface (UI) or graphical user interface(GUI) which includes information associated with placing, conducting,and terminating a phone call. As another example, if the mobile terminal100 is in a video call mode or a photographing mode, the display 151 mayadditionally or alternatively display images which are associated withthese modes, the UI or the GUI.

The display 151 may be implemented using known display technologies.These technologies include, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD),a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), an organiclight-emitting diode display (OLED), a flexible display and athree-dimensional display. The mobile terminal 100 may include one ormore of such displays.

Some of the displays can be implemented in a transparent or opticaltransmittive type, i.e., a transparent display. A representative exampleof the transparent display is the TOLED (transparent OLED). A rearconfiguration of the display 151 can be implemented as the opticaltransmittive type as well. In this configuration, a user can be able tosee an object located at the rear of a terminal body on a portion of thedisplay 151 of the terminal body.

At least two displays 151 can be provided in the mobile terminal 100 inaccordance with one embodiment of the mobile terminal 100. For instance,a plurality of displays can be arranged to be spaced apart from eachother or to form a single body on a single face of the mobile terminal100. Alternatively, a plurality of displays can be arranged on differentfaces of the mobile terminal 100.

If the display 151 and a sensor for detecting a touch action(hereinafter called ‘touch sensor’) are configured as a mutual layerstructure (hereinafter called ‘touchscreen’), the display 151 is usableas an input device as well as an output device. In this instance, thetouch sensor can be configured as a touch film, a touch sheet, or atouchpad.

The touch sensor can be configured to convert pressure applied to aspecific portion of the display 151 or a variation of capacitancegenerated from a specific portion of the display 151 to an electronicinput signal. Moreover, the touch sensor is configurable to detectpressure of a touch as well as a touched position or size.

If a touch input is made to the touch sensor, a signal(s) correspondingto the touch input is transferred to a touch controller. The touchcontroller processes the signal(s) and then transfers the processedsignal(s) to the controller 180. Therefore, the controller 180 is madeaware when a prescribed portion of the display 151 is touched.

Referring to FIG. 1, a proximity sensor 141 can be provided at aninternal area of the mobile terminal 100 enclosed by the touchscreen oraround the touchscreen. The proximity sensor is a sensor that detects apresence or non-presence of an object approaching a prescribed detectingsurface or an object existing (or located) around the proximity sensorusing an electromagnetic field strength or infrared ray withoutmechanical contact. Hence, the proximity sensor 141 is more durable thana contact type sensor and also has utility broader than the contact typesensor.

The proximity sensor 141 can include one of a transmittive photoelectricsensor, a direct reflective photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflectivephotoelectric sensor, a radio frequency oscillation proximity sensor, anelectrostatic capacity proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor,and an infrared proximity sensor. If the touchscreen includes theelectrostatic capacity proximity sensor, it is configured to detect theproximity of a pointer using a variation of an electric field accordingto the proximity of the pointer. In this configuration, the touchscreen(touch sensor) can be considered as the proximity sensor.

For clarity and convenience of explanation, an action for enabling thepointer approaching the touchscreen to be recognized as placed on thetouchscreen may be named ‘proximity touch’ and an action of enabling thepointer to actually come into contact with the touchscreen may be named‘contact touch’. In addition, a position, at which the proximity touchis made to the touchscreen using the pointer, may mean a position of thepointer vertically corresponding to the touchscreen when the pointermakes the proximity touch.

The proximity sensor detects a proximity touch and a proximity touchpattern (e.g., a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch duration, aproximity touch position, a proximity touch shift state). Informationcorresponding to the detected proximity touch action and the detectedproximity touch pattern can be output to the touchscreen.

The audio output module 152 functions in various modes including acall-receiving mode, a call-placing mode, a recording mode, a voicerecognition mode, and a broadcast reception mode to output audio datawhich is received from the wireless communication unit 110 or is storedin the memory 160. During operation, the audio output module 152 outputsaudio relating to a particular function (e.g., call received, messagereceived). The audio output module 152 may be implemented using one ormore speakers, buzzers, other audio producing devices, and combinationsof these devices.

The alarm unit 153 outputs a signal for announcing the occurrence of aparticular event associated with the mobile terminal 100. Typical eventsinclude a call received, a message received and a touch input received.The alarm unit 153 can output a signal for announcing the eventoccurrence by way of vibration as well as video or audio signal. Thevideo or audio signal can be output via the display 151 or the audiooutput module 152. Hence, the display 151 or the audio output module 152can be regarded as a part of the alarm unit 153.

The haptic module 154 generates various tactile effects that can besensed by a user. Vibration is a representative one of the tactileeffects generated by the haptic module 154. The strength and pattern ofthe vibration generated by the haptic module 154 are controllable. Forinstance, different vibrations can be output by being synthesizedtogether or can be output in sequence.

The haptic module 154 can generate various tactile effects as well asthe vibration. For instance, the haptic module 154 may generate aneffect attributed to the arrangement of pins vertically moving against acontact skin surface, an effect attributed to the injection/suctionpower of air though an injection/suction hole, an effect attributed tothe skim over a skin surface, an effect attributed to a contact with anelectrode, an effect attributed to an electrostatic force, and an effectattributed to the representation of a hot/cold sense using anendothermic or exothermic device.

The haptic module 154 can be implemented to enable a user to sense thetactile effect through a muscle sense of a finger or an arm as well asto transfer the tactile effect through direct contact. Optionally, atleast two haptic modules 154 can be provided in the mobile terminal 100in accordance with an embodiment of the mobile terminal 100.

The memory 160 is generally used to store various types of data tosupport the processing, control, and storage requirements of the mobileterminal 100. Examples of such data include program instructions forapplications operating on the mobile terminal 100, contact data,phonebook data, messages, audio, still pictures (or photo), and movingpictures. Furthermore, a recent use history or a cumulative usefrequency of each data (e.g., use frequency for each phonebook, eachmessage or each multimedia file) can be stored in the memory 160.

Moreover, data for various patterns of vibration and/or sound output inresponse to a touch input to the touchscreen can be stored in the memory160.

The memory 160 may be implemented using any type or combination ofsuitable volatile and non-volatile memory or storage devices includinghard disk, random access memory (RAM), static random access memory(SRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM),erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), programmable read-onlymemory (PROM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic memory, flash memory,magnetic or optical disk, multimedia card micro type memory, card-typememory (e.g., SD memory or XD memory), or other similar memory or datastorage device. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 100 can operate inassociation with a web storage for performing a storage function of thememory 160 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 may be implemented to couple the mobile terminal100 with external devices. The interface unit 170 receives data from theexternal devices or is supplied with power and then transfers the dataor power to the respective elements of the mobile terminal 100 orenables data within the mobile terminal 100 to be transferred to theexternal devices. The interface unit 170 may be configured using awired/wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired/wirelessdata port, a memory card port, a port for coupling to a device having anidentity module, audio input/output ports, video input/output ports,and/or an earphone port.

The identity module is a chip for storing various kinds of informationfor authenticating a usage authority of the mobile terminal 100 and caninclude a User Identify Module (UIM), a Subscriber Identity Module(SIM), and/or a Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM). A devicehaving the identity module (hereinafter called ‘identity device’) can bemanufactured as a smart card. Therefore, the identity device isconnectible to the mobile terminal 100 via the corresponding port.

When the mobile terminal 100 is connected to an external cradle, theinterface unit 170 becomes a passage for supplying the mobile terminal100 with a power from the cradle or a passage for delivering variouscommand signals input from the cradle by a user to the mobile terminal100. Each of the various command signals input from the cradle or thepower can operate as a signal enabling the mobile terminal 100 torecognize that it is correctly loaded in the cradle.

The controller 180 typically controls the overall operations of themobile terminal 100. For example, the controller 180 performs thecontrol and processing associated with voice calls, data communications,and video calls. The controller 180 can include a multimedia module 181that provides multimedia playback. The multimedia module 181 may beconfigured as part of the controller 180, or implemented as a separatecomponent.

Moreover, the controller 180 can perform a pattern (or image)recognizing process for recognizing a writing input and a picturedrawing input carried out on the touchscreen as characters or images,respectively.

The power supply unit 190 provides power required by various componentsof the mobile terminal 100. The power may be internal power, externalpower, or combinations of internal and external power.

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented in acomputer-readable medium using, for example, computer software,hardware, or some combination of computer software and hardware. For ahardware implementation, the embodiments described herein may beimplemented within one or more application specific integrated circuits(ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processingdevices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmablegate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers,microprocessors, other electronic units designed to perform thefunctions described herein, or a selective combination thereof. Suchembodiments may also be implemented by the controller 180.

For a software implementation, the embodiments described herein may beimplemented with separate software modules, such as procedures andfunctions, each of which performs one or more of the functions andoperations described herein. The software codes can be implemented witha software application written in any suitable programming language andmay be stored in memory such as the memory 160, and executed by acontroller or processor, such as the controller 180.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a mobile terminal according to oneembodiment of the present invention. The mobile terminal 100 illustratedin FIG. 2 has a bar type terminal body. However, the mobile terminal 100may be implemented in a variety of different configurations. Examples ofsuch configurations include folder-type, slide-type, rotational-type,swing-type and combinations thereof. For ease of description, thefollowing invention will primarily relate to a bar-type mobile terminal100. However, the present invention applies equally to other types ofmobile terminals.

Referring to FIG. 2, the mobile terminal 100 includes a case (a casing,housing, or cover) constituting an exterior of the mobile terminal. Inthe present embodiment, the case can be divided into a front case 101and a rear case 102. Various electric/electronic parts are loaded in aspace (volume) provided between the front and rear cases 101 and 102.Optionally, at least one middle case can be further provided between thefront and rear cases 101 and 102 in addition.

The cases 101 and 102 are formed by injection molding of synthetic resinor can be formed of metal substance such as stainless steel (STS),titanium (Ti) or the like for example.

A display 151, an audio output module 152, a camera 121, manipulatingunits 131 and 132, a microphone 122, and an interface unit 170 can beprovided at the terminal body, and more particularly, at the front case101. Manipulating units 131 and 132 are part of the user input unit 130.

The display 151 occupies most of a main face of the front case 101. Theaudio output module 152 and the camera 121 are provided at an areaadjacent to an end portion of the display 151, while the manipulatingunit 131 and the microphone 122 are provided at an area adjacent to theother end portion of the display 151. The manipulating unit 132 and theinterface unit 170 can be provided at lateral sides of the front andrear cases 101 and 102. Another manipulating unit 133 can be provided ona top portion of the case 102.

The user input unit 130 is manipulated (operated) to receive a commandfor controlling an operation of the terminal 100. Furthermore, the userinput unit 130 may include a plurality of manipulating units 131 and132. The manipulating units 131 and 132 can be referred to as amanipulating portion and may adopt any tactile mechanism that enables auser to perform a manipulation action by touch.

Content input by manipulating units 131 and 132 can be divided betweenthe two. For instance, a command such as start, end, and scroll is inputto first manipulating unit 131. Furthermore, a command for a volumeadjustment of sound output from the audio output module 152, or acommand for a switching to a touch recognizing mode of the display 151can be input to second manipulating unit 132.

Meanwhile, such a graphic for pointing at a specific object on a displayunit or selecting a menu from the display unit as an arrow, a finger andthe like is called a pointer or a cursor. However, the pointer isfrequently used to mean a finger, a stylus pen or the like for a touchmanipulation and the like. In order to clearly discriminate the pointerand the cursor from each other in this invention, a graphic displayed ona display unit is named a cursor and such a physical means forperforming a touch, a proximity touch, a gesture and the like as afinger, a stylus pen and the like is named a pointer.

Shortcut to Various Applications Related to Information HavingSimilarities

A method of creating and utilizing a shortcut to various applicationsrelated to an information having similarities and mobile terminal forperforming the same according to one embodiment of the present inventionare described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings asfollows.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for one example of a process for creating ashortcut to a plurality of applications related to an information havingsimilarities and utilizing the created shortcut in a mobile terminalaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, a 1^(st) object can be selected through a 1^(st)application [S310]. In this case, the 1^(st) object may mean a storageunit of information, which can be created, read, played, modified, savedand/or deleted through the 1^(st) application, or a display objectcorresponding to the information storage unit. In particular, the 1^(st)object may include one of a schedule information, a contact information,a text, a webpage, an SNS posting, a multimedia file itself, acorresponding icon, a corresponding widget, and the like.

After the 1^(st) object has been selected, a 2^(nd) object correspondingto a 2^(nd) application approaches the 1^(st) object closely [S320]. Inthis case, the 2^(nd) object may include an icon or widget correspondingto the 2^(nd) application. Moreover, if the 2^(nd) object approaches the1^(st) object closely, it may mean that the 2^(nd) object approaches the1^(st) object in a prescribed distance in response to a user inputtedcommand for moving the 2^(nd) object or that the 2^(nd) object comes incontact with the 1^(st) object in part at least.

Hence, the controller 180 can determine information of the 2^(nd)application related to the 1^(st) object [S330]. For the relation to the1^(st) object in determining the information of the 2^(nd) application,the controller 180 may consider a keyword (e.g., a name, etc.) includedin the object, a video or audio information included in the object, apreset information of the 2^(nd) application for the 1^(st) object andthe like. If the controller needs more information required for thedetermination or determines a plurality of informations of the 2^(nd)application, a user may select the corresponding information in direct.

Once the determination is completed, the controller 180 can create a3^(rd) object including at least one portion of the 2^(nd) object aroundthe 1^(st) object based on the determined information [S340]. Inparticular, it is able to create the 3^(rd) object that performs ashortcut function of accessing the information of the 2^(nd) applicationrelated to the information of the 1^(st) object. As the 1^(st) objectand at least one portion of the 2^(nd) object around the 1^(st) objectare included in the 3^(rd) object, a user can be visually informed ofthe shortcut function.

Thereafter, if the 3^(rd) object is selected [S350], the controller 180can activate the 2^(nd) application using the determined information[S360].

In the following description, a method of the 3^(rd) object is describedin detail with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for one example of a method of creating a shortcutto an application having similarities in a mobile terminal according toone embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, assume that a 1^(st) application is a cameraapplication. And, assume that 2^(nd) applications include a phoneapplication and a text message application.

If an icon 410 corresponding to the camera application is selected [FIG.4 (a)], it is able to photograph an image 420 [FIG. 4 (b)]. Aftercompletion of the image photographing, if a command for creating a3^(rd) object is inputted, the photographed image 420 is selected as a1^(st) object 420′ and can be then displayed on a prescribed region of ahome screen [FIG. 4 (c)]. Of course, instead of photographing an imagethrough the camera application, a prescribed one or portion of imagespreviously saved in the memory 160 can be selected through a galleryapplication. And, the command for creating the 3^(rd) object may beinputted before the 1^(st) object is selected.

Thereafter, if an icon 431 (i.e., 2^(nd) object) corresponding the phoneapplication and an icon 433 (i.e., 2^(nd) object) corresponding to themessage application among icons existing on a home screen aresequentially dragged to the 1^(st) object 420′, the controller 180determines informations of the applications respectively related to theimage and is then able to control the 3^(rd) object 450, on which theicons 441 and 443 dragged around the 1^(st) object 420′ are displayed,to be created [FIG. 4 (d)]. In determining the related information, thecontroller 180 can determine whether an item corresponding to anidentification information (e.g., a file name) of the image exists bysearching the memory 160 for a contact. If a character photo informationis saved in a phonebook as well, the controller 180 can determine thatthe selected image corresponds to which contact by face recognition.Hence, the contact corresponding to the character of the image can besaved as the information related to the 1^(st) object in each of theicon 441 and the icon 443. Of course, the contact is set as theinformation related to the 1^(st) object and information oncommunication with the corresponding contact can be set as theinformation related to the 1^(st) object as well. For instance, in caseof the phone application, information of a history of calls exchangedwith a specific contact can be set as the information related to the1^(st) object. For another instance, in case of the text application,each text message exchanged with a specific contact or a text messagehaving an image, in which the same character of the 1^(st) object imageis included, attached thereto can be set as the information related tothe 1^(st) object.

After the 1^(st) object has been selected, a display location of theselected 1^(st) object is the home screen, as shown in FIG. 4, the3^(rd) object can be configured as a widget. Of course, the displaylocation of the selected 1^(st) object may be non-limited by the homescreen and can be set to any locations capable of selecting/accessingthe 2^(nd) object.

On the other hand, the controller 180 may not be able to decide theinformation of the 2^(nd) application corresponding to the 1^(st)object. For this, an operation of the mobile terminal is described indetail with reference to FIG. 5 as follows.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for one example of a method of specifying a 2^(nd)application information in response to a user's selection in a mobileterminal according to one embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 5, when the icon 431 corresponding to the phone application inthe situation shown in FIG. 4 (c) approaches the 1^(st) object image420′, assume a case that the controller 180 fails in determining theinformation of the phone application related to the 1^(st) object image,i.e., the controller 180 fails in automatic recognition.

Referring to FIG. 5 (a), as the controller 180 fails in the automaticrecognition, a popup window 510 including a menu for enabling a user todirectly select information of the phone application can be displayed onthe touchscreen 151. Since the phone application is the applicationrelated to a contact, the controller 180 can control a phonebook menu511, a direct contact input menu 513, a cancel menu 515 and the like tobe included in the popup window 510. If the phonebook menu 511 isselected, referring to FIG. 5 (b), a contact list is displayed. If aprescribed contact is selected from the contact list, the controller 180can control the selected contact to be set as the information related tothe 1^(st) object image. If the direct contact input menu 513 isselected in the situation shown in FIG. 5 (a), referring to FIG. 5 (c),the controller 180 can display an input window 520 including a virtualkeypad for receiving a direct input of a contact information from auser.

In the following description, utilization of the created 3^(rd) objectis described in detail with reference to FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for one example of a method of utilizing a shortcutobject created in a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, if the icon 441 corresponding to the phoneapplication is selected from the shortcut object 450 shown in FIG. 4(d), an operation of making a phone call to the contact determined asrelated to the 1^(st) object image 420′ can be performed and the 1^(st)object image can be displayed on the touchscreen 151 [FIG. 6 (a)]. Onthe other hand, if the icon 441 corresponding to the phone applicationis selected, a list of call logs with the determined contact can bedisplayed [not shown in the drawing].

Meanwhile, if the icon 443 corresponding to the text application isselected from the shortcut object 450 shown in FIG. 4 (d), a contactcorresponding to a character mentioned in a text message exchanged withthe determined contact and images corresponding to contacts as commonrecipients of a specific group message can be displayed around the3^(rd) object. In doing so, if the image corresponding to the contacthas a higher frequency of appearance in the message, it can be displayedin bigger size. On the other hand, if the icon 443 corresponding to thetext application is selected from the shortcut object 450, a compositionof a text message to the determined contact can be initiated or a listor thread of messages exchanged with the determined contact may bedisplayed [not shown in the drawing].

Of course, if the 1^(st) object image 420′ is selected from the shortcutobject 450, the corresponding image can be displayed through the galleryapplication.

Meanwhile, according to another example of the present embodiment, aftera 2^(nd) application and information related to the 2^(nd) applicationhave been selected, a 1^(st) object can be selected. This is describedin detail with reference to FIG. 7 as follows.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for another example of a method of creating ashortcut object in a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

In FIG. 7, assume that a 2^(nd) application includes a phoneapplication. And, assume that information related to the 2^(nd)application includes a contact item.

Referring to FIG. 7, while the phone application is running on thetouchscreen 151, if a user pages a related menu by selecting a specificcontact item 710 from a call log list [FIG. 7 (a)], a menu popup window720 can be displayed [FIG. 7 (b)]. If the user selects a shortcutcreation menu 721 from the menu popup window 720, an application listcan be displayed [FIG. 7 (c)]. If an icon corresponding to a 1^(st)application desired by the user is selected as a 1^(st) object from theapplication list, a shortcut object (i.e., a 3^(rd) object 730)corresponding to the selection can be created [FIG. 7 (d)]. Inparticular, the 1^(st) object 731 is displayed at the center of the3^(rd) object 730 and a 2^(nd) object corresponding to a 2^(nd)application, i.e., an icon 733 corresponding to the phone application,can be displayed around the 1^(st) object 731. In doing so, an indicator735 indicating an execution of a shortcut function can be displayed oneach of the icons.

According to the description with reference to FIG. 7, the 1^(st)application is directly selected by the user. Alternatively, thecontroller 180 may be able to automatically determine the 1^(st)application using information of a contact item. For instance, if‘travel agency’ is included in the name of the contact item 710, thecontroller 180 can determine an application including an informationrelated to a travel, e.g., a name ‘air (or aviation)’, as the 1^(st)application. Moreover, if a shortcut object including a 1^(st) objectcorresponding to a 1^(st) application is previously created, a 2^(nd)object can be added to the previously created shortcut object. In thiscase, as mentioned in the foregoing description with reference to FIG.4, if an object corresponding to another application approaches thepreviously created shortcut object, a 2^(nd) object can be configuredadditionally.

Thus, a configuration of a shortcut object including a plurality of2^(nd) objects is described in detail with reference to FIG. 8 asfollows.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for another example of a configuration of a shortcutobject created in a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, a configuration 730′ is formed in a manner thatobjects respectively corresponding to a plurality of applications areadded to the shortcut object 730 created by the foregoing processdescribed with reference to FIG. 7. In particular, if an object 737corresponding to a memo application is dragged & dropped to the shortcutobject 730, the controller 180 searches saved memos for a memo relatedto a travel and is then able to set the found memo as an informationrelated to the memo application. Hence, the object 737 corresponding tothe memo application can be added to the shortcut object 730. Hence, ifthe object 737 corresponding to the memo application is selected, thememo related to the travel can be directly displayed through the memoapplication.

Similarly, if an object 738 corresponding to a map application isselected, a map related to a travel place can be displayed. If an object739 corresponding to an email application is selected, a mailtransceived in association with a travel can be displayed through theemail application. Hence, a user is able to gather and manageinformations of different applications having a single common subjectthrough a single shortcut object.

In the following description, side functions of a shortcut object areexplained with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for one example of a method of switching objects toeach other within a shortcut object in a mobile terminal according toone embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9 (a), a food image 911 is displayed as a 1^(st)object at the center of a shortcut object 910. Moreover, an object 913corresponding to a phone application, an object corresponding to a memoapplication, and an object 917 corresponding to a map application aredisplayed as 2^(nd) objects on the shortcut object 910 as well. Inparticular, the shortcut object 910 indicates a case that informationsof applications related to a specific food in common are set. Hence, ifthe object 913 corresponding to the phone application is selected, aphone call can be made to a restaurant that provides the correspondingfood. If the object 917 corresponding to the map application isselected, a location of a restaurant providing the corresponding foodcan be displayed.

In this situation, if a user intends to switch a location of the 1^(st)object and a location of one of the 2^(nd) objects to each other, theuser can drag one object, of which location is desired to be switched,to another object within the shortcut object 910. If the object 913corresponding to the phone application is dragged to the 1^(st) object911, referring to FIG. 9 (b), locations of the two objects are switchedto each other so that the object corresponding to the phone applicationcan be displayed at the center of the shortcut object 910 [913′].Meanwhile, after the object corresponding to the phone application hasbeen displayed at the center (i.e., after the object corresponding tothe phone application has been set as the 1^(st) object), if a 2^(nd)object newly approaches the corresponding object (i.e., the 1^(st)object), a reference for the controller 180 to determine the informationrelated to the 1^(st) object can be changed into contacts from images.For instance, if an object 920 corresponding to a text application isdragged to the shortcut object shown in FIG. 9 (b), the controller 180can the information of the text application related to the 1^(st) objectto a message exchanged with the corresponding contact item.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for one example of changing a configuration withina shortcut object in a mobile terminal according to one embodiment ofthe present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, sizes of a plurality of 2^(nd) objects 1011, 1013and 1015 included in a shortcut object 1010 may differ from each otherin frequency of use. In particular, the 2^(nd) object 1011 related to anSNS application, which is located at a left part of the shortcut object1010, is most frequently selected. The 2^(nd) object 1013 related to aphone application, which is located at the center of the shortcut object1010, is least frequently selected.

Link Between Contents Corresponding to Different Applications

A method according to another embodiment of the present invention isprovided as follows. First of all, a link is established betweencontents respectively corresponding to different applications. Secondly,the contents can be paged conveniently and easily irrespective of typesof the applications using the established link.

FIG. 11A is a diagram for one example of a process for creating a linkbetween contents corresponding to different applications in a mobileterminal according to another embodiment of the present invention. And,FIG. 11B is a diagram for one example of a process for utilizing thecreated link in a mobile terminal according to another embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 11A, a 1^(st) content can be selected through a 1^(st)application [S1110].

While the 1^(st) content is selected, if a link command for creating alink to a prescribed content different from the 1^(st) content [S1120],a 2^(nd) content corresponding to a 2^(nd) application can be selected[S1130].

In this case, the content may mean a storage unit of information, whichcan be created, read, played, modified, saved and/or deleted through thecorresponding application, or a display object corresponding to theinformation storage unit. In particular, the content may include one ofa schedule information, a contact information, a text, a webpage, an SNSposting, a multimedia file itself, a corresponding icon, a correspondingwidget, and the like.

If the 2^(nd) content is selected, the controller 180 can establish alink between the 1^(st) content and the 2^(nd) content [S1140].

After the link has been established, referring to FIG. 11B, a contentdisplay command can be inputted [S1150]. In this case, no limitation isput on a type of the content display command unless the type enables thecontroller 180 to display a specific content through a correspondingapplication.

In response to the command, the controller 180 can determine whether alink to a specific content exists [S1160]. If the link established forthe specific content exists, the controller 180 can control anindicator, which indicates the established link, to be displayed in aprescribed configuration when the specific content is displayed throughthe corresponding application [S1170].

If the displayed indicator is selected [S1180], the controller 180 canpage the content corresponding to the selected indicator [S1190].

For instance, while the 1^(st) application is displayed through the1^(st) application, if the link to the 2^(nd) content is selected, thecontroller 180 can control the 2^(nd) content to be directly displayedthrough the 2^(nd) application. On the other hand, while the 2^(nd)content is displayed, the link to the 1^(st) content is displayed. Ifthe corresponding link is selected, the 1^(st) content can be directlydisplayed through the 1^(st) application. According to a related art, inorder to display one content in the course of displaying anothercontent, a corresponding application is activated in the first place andthe corresponding content is then selected and displayed in theactivated application inconveniently. Yet, according to the presentinvention, contents can be directly shifted by content unit without theinconvenience of the related art.

In the following description, one example of a method of creating anddisplaying a link between contents is explained in detail with referenceto FIG. 12 and FIG. 13.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for one example of a method of creating a linkbetween contents in a mobile terminal according to another embodiment ofthe present invention.

Referring to FIG. 12 (a), a specific webpage is currently displayed onthe touchscreen 151 through a web browser application. In doing so, alink related menu 1210 can be displayed in response to a command inputof a prescribed type. If a link add item 1211 is selected from the linkrelated menu 1210, referring to FIG. 12 (b), an application list can bedisplayed. If a video play application is selected from the applicationlist, referring to FIG. 12 (c), a list of video contents playablethrough the corresponding application can be displayed. In doing so, thevideo contents can be displayed as thumbnails 1220 and 1230. In doingso, if a user intends to link the left video to the webpage, the usercan check a checkbox 1221 of the left thumbnail 1220.

Hence, the controller 180 determines that the selection of a 2^(nd)content is complete and is then able to establish a link between thewebpage and the selected video.

FIG. 12 (d) shows a case that a contact is linked to the webpage contentas well as the video, i.e., a case that 3 contents are linked to oneanother. In particular, after the link establishment has been completed,if the corresponding webpage is displayed again, an indicator 1240corresponding to a selected video and an indicator 1250 corresponding toa contact can be displayed. In doing so, if the indicator 1240corresponding to the video is selected, the video selected through thecheckbox 1221 shown in FIG. 12 (c) can be played in direct. Therefore,as a user uses the link in switching contents respectively correspondingto different applications to each other, a desired content can bedirectly displayed without the inconvenience of activating anotherapplication by paging an application list and then selecting acorresponding content in the activated application.

Meanwhile, each of the indicators can be displayed all the time if thecorresponding link is created. Alternatively, each of the indicators canbe displayed only if a link view item 1213 is selected in the situationshown in FIG. 12 (a). Moreover, a configuration of each of theindicators may correspond to an icon of an application for displaying alinked content.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for one example of a configuration for displaying alink between contents in a mobile terminal according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 (a) shows a case that the indicator 1250 corresponding to thecontact is selected in the situation shown in FIG. 12 (d). Inparticular, information of a linked contact is displayed through a callapplication. And, an indicator 1240 corresponding to a video and anindicator 1310 corresponding to a webpage can be displayed on aprescribed region of the touchscreen 151. In doing so, if the indicator1310 corresponding to the webpage is selected, the situation shown inFIG. 12 (d) can be entered again.

If a link widget item 1215 is selected in FIG. 12 (a), a widget similarto the 3^(rd) object described in the description of one embodiment ofthe present invention can be created from a prescribed location such asa home screen and the like. One example of the link widget created inthe situation shown in FIG. 12 (d) is shown in FIG. 13 (b). Referring toFIG. 13 (b), a shortcut icon 1310′ corresponding to an initially setcontent (i.e., webpage) is displayed at the center of a link widget 1320and a shortcut icon 1240 corresponding to a video and a shortcut icon1250 corresponding to a contact can be displayed nearby the shortcuticon 1310′. If each of the icons is selected, it is a matter of coursethat a content corresponding to the selected icon can be displayedthrough a corresponding icon.

Moreover, the above-described 3^(rd) object or link widget can be sharedwith an external terminal together with or separately from the relatedinformation or content.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be specified into other form(s) withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the inventions.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, theabove-described methods can be implemented in a program recorded mediumas processor-readable codes. The processor-readable media include allkinds of recording devices in which data readable by a processor aresaved. The processor-readable media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetictapes, floppy discs, optical data storage devices, and the like forexample and also include carrier-wave type implementations (e.g.,transmission via Internet).

The aforementioned embodiments are achieved by combination of structuralelements and features of the present invention in a predetermined type.Each of the structural elements or features should be consideredselectively unless specified separately. Each of the structural elementsor features may be carried out without being combined with otherstructural elements or features. Also, some structural elements and/orfeatures may be combined with one another to constitute the embodimentsof the present invention.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, itis intended that the present invention covers the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of controlling a mobile terminal, themethod comprising: displaying first content associated with a firstapplication; selecting second content corresponding to the first contentand associated with at least one second application, wherein the atleast one second application includes a phone application; displaying amenu associated with the selected second content; selecting a shortcutcreation menu corresponding to the at least one second application fromthe displayed menu; displaying a second link indicator associated withthe first content; displaying a popup window including a phonebook menu,a direct contact input menu, and a cancel menu; displaying a contactlist in response to a selection of the phonebook menu from the popupwindow; and displaying a virtual keypad in response to a selection ofthe direct contact input menu from the popup menu such that a directinput of contact information is received from the user via the virtualkeypad.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: executing at leastone function related to the second content based on the at least onesecond application.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the executing theat least one function comprises at least one of: making a phone callcorresponding to the selected second content; or sending a messagecorresponding to the selected second content.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein the first application includes at least one of a messageapplication, a phonebook application, or an SNS application.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein each of the first content and the secondcontent comprises: information that is capable of being created, read,played, modified, stored or deleted via a corresponding application; anda corresponding display object.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein thesecond content includes at least one of contact information, scheduleinformation, a text, a webpage, an SNS posting, or a multimedia file. 7.The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining at least oneapplication associated with the first content using information of thefirst content; creating a first link indicator associated with thedetermined at least one application; and displaying the first linkindicator.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: receiving aselection of the first link indicator; and displaying the first contentvia the determined at least one application.
 9. A mobile terminal,comprising: a touchscreen; a memory; and a controller configured to:display first content associated with a first application on thetouchscreen; detect selection of second content corresponding to thefirst content and associated with at least one second application,wherein the at least one second application includes a phoneapplication; display a menu associated with the selected second contenton the touchscreen; detect a shortcut creation menu corresponding to theat least one second application from the displayed menu; display asecond link indicator associated with the first content on thetouchscreen; cause the touchscreen to display a popup window including aphonebook menu, a direct contact input menu, and a cancel menu; causethe touchscreen to display a contact list in response to a selection ofthe phonebook menu from the popup window; and cause the touchscreen todisplay a virtual keypad in response to a selection of the directcontact input menu from the popup window such that a direct input ofcontact information is received from the user via the virtual keypad.10. The mobile terminal of claim 9, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to: execute at least one function related to the secondcontent based on the at least one second application.
 11. The mobileterminal of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to execute atleast one of: making a phone call corresponding to the selected secondcontent; or sending a message corresponding to the selected secondcontent.
 12. The mobile terminal of claim 9, wherein the firstapplication includes at least one of a message application, a phonebookapplication, or an SNS application.
 13. The mobile terminal of claim 9,wherein each of the first content and the second content comprises:information that is capable of being created, read, played, modified,stored or deleted via a corresponding application; and a correspondingdisplay object.
 14. The mobile terminal of claim 9, wherein the secondcontent includes at least one of contact information, scheduleinformation, a text, a webpage, an SNS posting, or a multimedia file.15. The mobile terminal of claim 9, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to: determine at least one application associated with thefirst content using information of the first content; create a firstlink indicator associated with the determined at least one application;and display the first link indicator on the touchscreen.
 16. The mobileterminal of claim 15, wherein the controller is further configured to:receive a selection of the first link indicator; and cause thetouchscreen to display the first content via the determined at least oneapplication.